'Really sad': Jordan Ablett opens up on horror 2020
Jordan Ablett, the wife of Geelong star Gary Jr, has penned a lengthy Instagram post in which she opens up about the immensely challenging year the family has had thus far.
While it’s fair to say 2020 hasn’t been a banner year by anyone’s standards thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic, the Ablett family have dealt with more than their fair share of adversity themselves.
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The death of Jordan’s mother Trudy, as well as she and Gary sharing the news of their son Levi being diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, added significant stress to an already challenging year.
But in her post reflecting on what the family had been through so far, Jordan said she was thankful for some of those challenges, as they had brought the family closer together.
“I’ve been wanting to post this for a long time. Honestly, life has felt so full-on for me (and us all) that I just haven’t had an opportunity, or sometimes the strength, to put something together to share with you,” Jordan wrote.
“As we can all agree, this year has been so difficult for all of us in many and unique ways.
“For me personally, watching my mum live her final months at home under Stage 3 and then 4 Covid restrictions, preventing her from those ‘lasts’ with those she loved was really sad.
“Receiving a diagnosis for our son — who, in our eyes, is still so perfect in every way — but knowing that each day will present its challenges and that the future is so unclear and something we simply can’t prepare for (but then again, who can?).
“Then to go on and lose mum (my greatest encourager) is something that will always hurt.
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“Words simply can’t express what I feel each day as I navigate these unique and difficult circumstances.
“But in all of this, I find there are still so many things to be grateful for.
“Although I’m not thankful for Covid itself in any way, I’m thankful that because Covid forced us all to slow down and focus on the essentials, we were able to care for mum at home; spending every day with her and creating special lifelong memories together.”
Jordan Ablett thanks friends, family for support
Jordan expanded further on Levi’s diagnosis in a second post, saying his early years had taught her a great deal about what it took to have a family.
“I’m so thankful that Levi finally received a diagnosis that would then propel him in the right direction to commence the appropriate treatment that we pray and hope will change his prognosis,” she wrote.
“I’m thankful that Levi has been surrounded by the incredible and fully-equipped medical professionals to care for him.
“Mothering Levi has given me such a great insight into families who are in the same position with their own children.
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“I know first-hand how challenging it is and how it is a completely different parenting experience, though still so rewarding.
“How privileged we are to be entrusted with such a precious responsibility, caring for these little humans who need us and who we love so deeply and fiercely.”
Adding to the immense personal challenges has been the COVID-19 interrupted AFL season, which left Gary Jr spend time away from the family in the AFL’s hub in Queensland, before families were permitted to join players.
Ablett will run out for Geelong when they take on Collingwood in Saturday night’s semi-final at the Gabba.
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